Building Bridges

Below are pictures of Evan's Eagle Scout project. It has been about 9 months in the working. First, raising the money. Evan had to raise $1100.00. This prove to be more challenging than he thought. He first went to different lumber stores and found out that they could not donate the lumber straight out. Thankfully through 20 different people Evan was able to raise the funds. Then it was time to meet and meet and again meet with the scout master and the retreat supervisor. After, all that the dates were set Evan was set for March 20 to demolish the two broken bridges and dig the posts. Then the bridges were to be completed on March 27. That is if all went as plan. Evan certainly earned his Eagle Scout. On March 20 they demolish the bridges within 30 minutes, then after cleaning up they began digging 12 post holes. On that day it rained nonstop and it was cold. Evan couldn't put in the posts and set them in cement because it was freezing. By the next morning we had snow covering the ground. Who would had planned for snow? Still no posts set. On March 23 the guys got together to set the posts and it was looking like March 27 the bridges would be done. Unfortunately, not so. Brad was on call and only a couple of people could come. However, a gentleman who was an Eagle Scout before came to help and proved to be just the man Evan needed. He knew so much about building all kinds of things. He really was able to mentor Evan. He also saved Evan from a disaster with the lumber. The company had written that Evan would call them to where to deliver the lumber. But that note was only for the first day delivery. None the less, Evan learned he should had call to be sure that everything was still on schedule. Thankfully our friend Mitch had a trailer back home and they went to pick up the lumber. However, after picking up the lumber, Mitch's truck got stuck in the mud. Thus, we had to carry most of the lumber up the hill to the site. AAARRRGGGHHHH!! After working from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. they had to call it a day because our friend had to go to a function that night. The bridge's frames were just in place and leveled with some of the planks cut. Although they measured the bridges many times, the angle proved to be off a little. One end of the bridge was slightly thinner than 6 feet and the other end slightly longer than 6 ft. I have to say Evan stayed focus even when things didn't go as plan. Evan scheduled another day to finish the two bridges. April 3, Satuday, the guys were back to work after a 10 mile hike (preparing for Philmont. They worked from 10:30 a.m. til 7:00 p.m. at night. He has about 130 physical labor put into these bridges. Who would had thought it would take so many hours to build two bridges? Now, preparing for the Board of Review. We will post that day of celebration.